My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

stone table and opened it. Before she could even offer some to anyone, a group of children was surrounding her and staring eagerly at the cake

cake is

knife and a paper plate, preparing to cut

some candles out of a box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday. Before she treats you all to some cake, what should we

group, which happened to be a little girl in pigtails,

sing the ‘Happy Birthday’

Rachel must close her eyes

blow

her head to indicate to Julian that there was

lit the candles and had the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would have a healing effect

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

mommy says you have to say it in your heart and not out loud, or the wish won’t

look, she found a little girl who wasn’t even at table height yet looking up at

wish. After that, she

to say thank you!” their parents

on each other’s faces. Just like that, the strangers in the community suddenly seemed closer and the

finally smiled for the first time in days.

don’t need to be so courteous with me.” Walking her back to her apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of your body and your mood. You don’t need to worry about

might as well pretend it never existed for now.

then. It’s been getting colder lately, so make sure to keep warm since you

she turned and

her apartment

a loud slam, the door was propped open by a

her head up, Rachel saw Justin glowering at her, his darkened face made all the more

he out on business?

the house and shut

“I see you’ve been getting

steps back. Why are

resentfully, he stalked toward her as he pulled off his necktie

as he sneered, “I suppose you wouldn’t want me to ruin your

by step he approached her, forcing her

no idea what

and pulled, she staggered after him and was